In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with our never-ending to-do lists and the demands of work, family and friends. We often find ourselves tackling tasks late into the night, and email is often one of them. Many of us have become accustomed to answering emails outside of our normal working hours, and it can be difficult to know when to draw the line. Unfortunately, emailing at night can be damaging for both your physical and mental health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of taking a break from email at night and explore the strategies you can use to manage your time and reclaim your evenings.
Elley Duhé – MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (Audio)
Reasons for sending an email at night
People may decide to send an email at night rather than the following day if they believe their recipient will benefit the most from it. For instance, someone might send their manager an email to inform them that they won’t be able to report to work the following day due to a crisis, such as a family medical emergency. If a person needs to inform their coworkers or manager of something crucial but is worried they will forget to do so tomorrow or needs to meet a deadline, they may email them in the evening.
It can be challenging for some people to respond to emails during regular business hours as more people balance working from home with taking care of children or other responsibilities. Instead, when they have more free time at night, they might email. Additionally, employees working flexible hours outside of the typical 9 to 5 schedule are becoming more prevalent. When collaborating with people in different time zones, you might send messages at night during their regular working hours, when they are most likely to see them.
9 best practices for sending work email at night
Some of the best techniques for sending emails at night include the ones listed below:
1. Clarify when you need a response
If you email someone late at night, let them know in advance if you need a quick response. This lets them know if they can hold off on opening your emails until the following day. If an email requires an immediate response, think about adding a note in the subject line with the words URGENT!
2. Send a scheduled email
Another strategy for sending emails late at night is to schedule their delivery for a later time. You can do this to type your message whenever you have a moment and have it send at the time you choose. For instance, a sales representative may write their email at night and schedule it to go out at 8 a.m. if they want to send their sales proposal to a potential client. m. the next day.
3. Consider your recipients time zone
It can be useful to take your recipients’ time zone into consideration when sending an email at night. Although your regular business hours may have just ended, where your recipient lives, it may be the middle of the night. You could check the time zone of your addressee online or with the clock app on your phone.
4. Be mindful of your recipient
Consider your recipient when drafting an email at night. Receiving an email outside of normal business hours can be stressful for some people, but it can also be more tolerable for others. Ask your recipient, if at all possible, when they typically check their inbox and what time they prefer to receive emails.
5. Set clear email expectations
Clarify your expectations for a response so that your recipient is aware of your requirements. When working on projects with coworkers who you intend to email frequently, it is beneficial to do this. You could write in the message, “I realize I’m sending this finished draft at three in the morning,” for example. m. , your time. I completely comprehend if you can’t work on this until after regular business hours. I wont be expecting an immediate response.
6. Find alternative communication methods
Use email only in situations where you don’t need an immediate response because other people might not check it often. It’s beneficial to create alternative channels of communication that offer a quicker response, like phone calls or group chats. Use these other channels of communication only for urgent matters and emergencies.
7. Create a computer curfew
Consider setting a computer curfew for yourself if you are aware that you might be less productive at night and more likely to send emails with errors. This may help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. So that your team or clients know when you’re not at your computer, let them know when they can reach you.
8. Draft an email for the next day
There may be times when you want to send a message at midnight while the details are still fresh in your mind. In these circumstances, it may be beneficial to write a draft to send the following day. Then, you can review your email from a fresh angle to see if there is anything you need to add. You might also notice any spelling or grammar mistakes earlier in the day. Waiting to send your draft can help you determine whether your message is important enough to send or whether it is no longer relevant.
9. Ask for feedback from a trusted adviser
If you’re debating whether to send an email at night, think about getting advice from a reliable source, like a roommate or coworker. This can give you a second viewpoint to confirm whether you should send your message in the late hours. They might be able to advise you on the best time to email your recipient if they have prior experience doing so.
